Method and circuit for timing the loading of non-volatile memory output data.

Abstract: A load timing circuit (20) including an out-like circuit (21) identical to the output circuits of the memory, so as to present the same propagation time; a simulating signal source (34) for generating a data simulating signal (SP); a synchronizing network (30, 32) for detecting a predetermined switching edge of the data simulating signal (SP) and enabling (35) supply of the signal to the out-like circuit (21) and data supply to the output circuits of the memory; a combinatorial network (29, 30) for detecting propagation of the data simulating signal (SP) to the output of the out-like circuit and disabling the data simulating signal (SP); and a reset element (33) for resetting the timing circuit (20).

Description: The present invention relates to a method and circuit for timing the loading of nonvolatile memory output data. As is known, when reading a memory, the content (data) of the read memory cells is transferred to output buffers by which the internal data is transferred externally; and the buffers comprise drivers for loading the data into the respective buffer at the right time. In known memories, under certain conditions and at certain points of the device, switching of the output buffers may result in noise affecting the output data from the memory as a result of bouncing (repeat switching) at the outputs. To prevent such noise, the drivers of the output buffers must therefore be isolated from the internal memory circuits as soon as the data is loaded, to prevent bouncing or at least minimize it as far as possible. Such isolation, however, involves precise timing for ensuring effective noise suppression on the one hand, and, on the other, correct data transfer from the memory cells to the output buffers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for timing the transfer of data from the memory to the output buffers, and which provides for reliable noise suppression while at the same time ensuring correctly timed transfer of the output data from the memory. According to the present invention, there are provided a method and circuit for timing the loading of nonvolatile memory output data, as claimed respectively in Claims 1 and 3. In practice, according to the present invention, a latch type out-like circuit identical to the output circuits of the memory is employed; the out-like circuit is supplied with a data simulating signal; loading of the data simulating signal in the out-like circuit is enabled simultaneously with data loading by the output circuits; and upon the data simulating signal reaching the out-like circuit output, loading is disabled and the timing circuit reset. The timing achievable in this way is perfectly synchronized with transmission of the signal, and supplies a signal of such short duration as to reduce the effects of noise induced by switching of the buffers. In practice, it provides for a timing circuit which is substantially unaffected by noise. A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a highly simplified diagram of a known memory array; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the circuit according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a graph of a number of signals in the Figure 2 diagram. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a nonvolatile memory 1 of which are shown only a memory cell array 2 (also including the sense amplifiers) in which data is stored; a timing stage 3 for generating all the timing signals for operation of the memory; one of the output circuits 4 provided in any known manner with latch elements, and comprising drivers and output buffers (not shown); and a control logic circuit 7. More specifically, control logic 7 generates an enabling signal OE which is supplied to input 5 of output circuit 4; and timing stage 3 generates enabling signals (not shown) which are supplied to array 2 over line 6, and a pair of load signals L, LN, inverted in relation to each other, which are supplied to the control terminals of a controlled switch 8 along an output data line 9 connecting array 2 to a second input 10 of output circuit 4. Output circuit 4 presents a pair of outputs 11, 12 connected to a push-pull unit 14 comprising a pair of MOS transistors 15, 16 of opposite types. More specifically, P-channel transistor 15 presents the source terminal connected to supply line V DD , the gate terminal connected to output 11 of output circuit 4, and the drain terminal connected to the drain terminal of N-channel transistor 16, which presents the gate terminal connected to output 12 of output circuit 4, and a grounded source terminal. Node 17 between the two drain terminals of transistors 15, 16 is connected to the output terminal 18 of memory 1. To prevent noise arising and being transmitted back from output circuit 4 to array 2, which noise could result in overwriting of the data supplied by the memory array and hence in further (erroneous) switching of the output circuit, generation of signals L and LN by timing stage 3 must be accurately timed to ensure immediate transmission of the data from array 2 to output circuit 4, and to interrupt data line 9 as soon as the data is loaded into output circuit 4. In this way, the buffers of output circuits 4 are isolated and any noise generated by them is prevented from being transmitted back. For this purpose, timing stage 3 comprises an output data load timing circuit which, according to the present invention, is as shown in Figure 2. With reference to Figure 2, the timing circuit, indicated by 20, comprises an out-like circuit 21 which, like output circuit 4 of memory 1 in Figure 1, presents two inputs 22, 23, two outputs 24, 25, and the same structure as output circuit 4 so as to reproduce exactly the same propagation delay. Output 24 is connected to the gate terminal of a P-channel MOS transistor 27, the drain and source terminals of which are short-circuited and connected to supply line V DD ; while output 25 is connected to the gate terminal of an N-channel MOS transistor 28, the drain and source terminals of which are short-circuited and grounded. Transistors 27 and 28 thus act as capacitive elements for simulating the gate capacitances of transistors 15 and 16 of array 1 in Figure 1, and ensuring the same geometry at the outputs of output circuit 4 and in the out-like circuit. Outputs 24 and 25 are also connected to the inputs of a first NAND circuit 29, the output of which is connected to one input of a second NAND circuit 30 having a second input connected to a node 31. The output of NAND circuit 30 (generating signal LN) is connected to an inverter 32 which generates output signal L inverted with respect to LN. Signals L and LN are the exact load signals supplied to switch 8 in Figure 1. The output of inverter 32 is connected to the input of a single-shot (monostable) circuit 33 enabled by the trailing edge of load enabling signal L. The output of single-shot circuit 33, which generates a pulse signal END, is connected to the reset input R of a synchronizing and delay block 34 substantially formed by an asymmetrical delay flip-flop. Block 34 presents a second set input S supplied with a synchronizing signal SYNC generated by other sections of timing circuit 3 and which enables data loading into the output buffers. The output of block 34 (supplying data simulating signal SP) is connected to node 31 and via controlled switch 35 to input 22, and via inverter 36 to input 23 of out-like circuit 21. Like switch 8 in Figure 1, the control terminals of controlled switch 35 are supplied with load signals L and LN generated by inverter 32 and NAND circuit 30, so that, as regards inputs and outputs (and internal structure, as already stated), out-like circuit 21 operates in exactly the same conditions as output circuit 4 in Figure 1. Operation of timing circuit 20 in Figure 2 will now be described with reference also to Figure 3 which, excluding the delays caused by switching of logic circuits 29-32 and single-shot circuit 33, shows only the far more considerable propagation delays of out-like circuit 21 and block 34. To begin with, in the reset state, signals SYNC, SP, L and END are low; signals SS and EP are high; outputs 24 and 25 of out-like circuit 21 are low; and switch 35 is open. At instant t 0 , block 34 receives the SYNC signal pulse. With a given delay determined at the design stage or depending on the operations of array 1, output signal SP of block 34 switches (instant t 1 ) so that signal SS switches to low; NAND circuit 30 switches and is supplied with two "1" so that signal LN switches to low; inverter 32 switches so that output signal L switches to high; and switch 35 closes to supply data simulating signal SP to input 22. At the same time, switch 8 in Figure 1 - which, as stated, is controlled by the same load enabling signal L, LN as out-like circuit 21 - also closes, so that signal SP is transmitted to out-like circuit 21 in the same way and simultaneously with the data to output circuits 4 in Figure 1. Upon signal SP reaching out-like circuit 21, bearing in mind also the delay caused by the capacitance of transistors 27, 28 (and upon the data supplied by array 2 to input 10 reaching output circuit 4, bearing in mind the capacitance at the gate terminals of transistors 15, 16), outputs 24 and 25 of out-like circuit 21 switch to high, thus switching NAND circuit 29 (instant t 2 ); signal EP switches to low, thus successively switching NAND circuit 30 and inverter 32; and signal LN switches back to high, and signal L to low, thus opening switch 8 (Figure 1) and switch 35 to terminate the data loading phase which thus lasts exactly long enough for the data to be transmitted to output circuit 4. On receiving the trailing edge of signal L, single-shot circuit 33 generates an output pulse (END signal) to reset block 34; after a given delay, signal SP switches back to low at instant t 3 , thus switching signal SS to high and resetting out-like circuit 21 which, after a given delay, switches outputs 24 and 25 to low (instant t 4 ); and circuit 29 switches so that its output signal EP switches to high to restore the start conditions. The advantages of the circuit described are as follows. Firstly, it provides for generating a load enabling signal of minimum duration, but nevertheless capable of ensuring signal transmission to the output circuits. As a result, the output circuits are connected to the memory array only long enough to ensure correct data transmission (and storage in the output circuits), and are disconnected immediately after loading to prevent (or at least minimize) harmful reflections due to the noise produced by switching of the output circuits. The load enabling signal is also synchronized with switching of the outputs to avoid phase differences preventing the data from being loaded into the output circuits. Secondly, by virtue of the circuit being immune to noise, it is possible to increase the size of the final push-pull transistors and so improve dynamic transitional performance in high fan-out applications involving high capacitive loads. Finally, the timing circuit described is also extremely simple, provides for a high degree of reliability, and is easily integratable. Clearly, changes may be made to the timing circuit as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: A method for timing the loading of nonvolatile memory output data, comprising the step of generating a data loading signal (L, LN) for loading data from an internal memory unit (2) into at least one output circuit (4); characterized in that said step of generating a data loading signal comprises steps of: generating a data simulating signal (SP); simultaneously enabling loading of data into said output circuit (4) and loading of said data simulating signal into an out-like circuit (21) identical to said output circuit; disabling loading of said data simulating signal and said data after propagation of said data simulating signal to the output of said out-like circuit (21); and resetting said out-like circuit. A method as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said enabling step comprises the step of generating a load enabling signal (L, LN) and simultaneously enabling a first line (9) supplying said data to said output circuit (4), and a second line supplying said data simulating signal (SP) to said out-like circuit (21). A circuit for timing the loading of nonvolatile memory output data, comprising at least one output circuit (4); said timing circuit (20) generating a load enabling signal (L, LN) for loading the memory data inter said output circuit (4); characterized in that it comprises an out-like circuit (21) identical to said output circuit (4); simulating signal generating means (34) for generating a data simulating signal (SP) and output-connected to a first input (22) of said out-like circuit; simultaneous enabling means (8, 35, 30, 32) connected to said load enabling signal (L, LN) for simultaneously enabling transfer of said data simulating signal (SP) to said out-like circuit (21) and said data to said output circuit (4); and propagation detecting means (29-33) connected to the output (24, 25) of said out-like circuit, for disabling said simultaneous enabling means (8, 35) by disabling said load enabling signal (L, LN) and resetting said simulating signal generating means (34). A circuit as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said simultaneous enabling means (8, 35, 30, 32) comprises a first controlled switch (8) connected to at least one input (10) of said output circuit (4), and a second controlled switch (35) interposed between said simulating signal generating means (34) and said first input (22) of said out-like circuit (21); said first and second controlled switches (8, 35) comprising at least one control terminal supplied with said load enabling signal (L, LN). A circuit as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said second controlled switch (35) is identical to said first controlled switch (8). A circuit as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that said simultaneous enabling means (8, 35, 30, 32) and said propagation detecting means (29-33) comprise logic circuits (29-32) connected to said simulating signal generating means (34) and to said out-like circuit (21), for enabling said load enabling signal (L, LN) on receiving said data simulating signal (SP), and disabling said load enabling signal on detecting propagation of said data simulating signal (SP) to said output (24, 25) of said out-like circuit (21). A circuit as claimed in Claimed 6, characterized in that said logic circuits (29-32) comprise a NAND circuit (30) having an input connected to said simulating signal generating means (34) and an input connected to said output (24, 25) of said out-like circuit (21), and which generates said load enabling signal (LN, L). A circuit as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said propagation detecting means (29-33) also comprises a single-shot circuit (33) for detecting a predetermined switching edge of said load enabling signal (L) and generating a pulse signal (END) for resetting said simulating signal generating means (34). A circuit as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 3 to 8, characterized in that said simulating signal generating means (34) comprises an input (S) supplied with a synchronizing signal (SYNC), for generating said data simulating signal (SP) on receiving said synchronizing signal. A circuit as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein said output circuit (4) of said nonvolatile memory (1) presents two output terminals (11, 12) connected to respective capacitive elements (15, 16); characterized in that said out-like means (21) comprises a first and second output terminal (24, 25) connected to a respective capacitive load (27, 28) of substantially the same value as said capacitive elements. A circuit as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 10, characterized in that said out-like circuit (21) comprises a second reset input (23) connected to the output of said simulating signal generating means (34), for resetting said out-like circuit upon detection of a predetermined switching edge of said data simulating signal (SP).

Inventors: MACCARRONE MARCO, OLIVO MARCO, PASCUCCI LUIGI, MACCARRONE, MARCO, OLIVO, MARCO, PASCUCCI, LUIGI
Applicants: ST MICROELECTRONICS SRL, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G11C7
IPC codes: G11C16, G11C7, G11C17